Windmills

   / Windmills #11  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Ahh do not mean to be pickey but widmills are used to pump water wind turbines are used to generate electricty.

Actually, windmills mill grain, windpumps pump water. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / Windmills #12  
The turbine farm that Eddie described has still another problem.

It is in a windy pass that is a major migratory bird route. The facility turned out to be a massive bird shredding operation.

That problem has made it more difficult for other operators to get permits in California, and probably affects other states also.

On a smaller scale, it seems to me that any place with enough steady wind to run a turbine efficiently, would not be an ideal place to live.
 
   / Windmills #13  
Is that a fact that those big windmills shred birds. They turn rather slowly and the birds can surley see them. Urban myth or not?
 
   / Windmills #15  
Riptides,

Windmills (or any other name they might be called) are mechanical devices and will require maintenance and will also wear out eventually. Maintenance practices will either extend or shorten the life expectancy.

Go solar. Yes, as was said, prices are "up" on solar panels but they are still less expensive than they used to be. I bought 100 watt panels 15 years ago and (including the controllers and wire and etc. that go with them) I spent about $1000 each.

Yesterday I almost finished installing 6 new 170W panels (plus the assorted support equipment). Total price was $6800, so the price per watt is much less than it used to be. Hundreds of that was for shipping as these panels were too big for UPS and had to come truck freight.

Solar panels don't wear out. They come typically with 25 year guarantees, but will likely NEVER need replacing.

There is a federal tax credit of 30% up to a $2000 limit. Depending on your power provider, there may be rebates available too. Up until this year Calif had some state tax credit for solar, which could be a possibility for you worth investigating. You can read about the federal tax credit here: Solar tax credit

I'm not hooked to the power grid so I don't qualify for rebates from the power company. I use a propane-powered generator for backup. We've just had the wettest (and cloudiest) spring in recorded history. I had to use the generator WAY too much. That's why I'm adding panels: I need to make power even if it's overcast. Propane prices are skyrocketing with gas.

If these panels don't completely eliminate my propane generator usage, next year I could add more. Right now, I'm maxed out as far as the tax credit goes so I'd want to wait until after Jan 1 for any more.

If you have questions, you can PM me or post here if they'd be of interest to others. I've been "off-grid" since the late seventies and have tried or investigated many options.

Phil
 
   / Windmills #16  
Phil,

I am very interested. I live a good bit west of riptides and in the mountains, but it still shows as "poor" for the wind map. We used to live in Florida and always had a solar hot water heater, which was fantastic. Some questions I have would be:
1. Are there similar maps for solar coverage like the wind map linked to earlier in the thread?
2. Are yours roof-mounted, or on the ground?
3. Does your area freeze? If so, is that a consideration?

Do you have any pics of your setup?
 
   / Windmills #17  
I do not run my house on solar I simply use too much electricity but I do run my well on solar. It was in place before I built the house. It has run for almost 4 years at zero maintenace cost. almost all of the new wells going in at remote sites around here are going in as solar. They used to use windmills but the solar pumps are far easier to install and work on if they have to be pulled for some reason. Solar is far more cost effective and reliable than wind than wind. Just do a internet search for solar and you will get more than you can read.
 
   / Windmills #18  
fenneran,

Yes there are solar maps. I haven't used them, I just stuck mine out in the yard and aimed them toward the sun (see attached photo). Do a google search for the maps.

There are good forums for solar too. One is Wind-Sun Forum and another (brand specific, but it's one of the better brands) Outback forum .

Something I've just learned is the benefit of using an MPPT controller. I just installed my first ones this week and am already impressed with the increased performance. I was originally going to get an Outback MX60 but instead got some BZ MPPT500's (from Solatron). My understanding, and 2 day experience, is that my 12V battery bank gets a better charge by sending the controller a 24V or 36V feed from the panels and letting the MPPT controller make it the best voltage and current for the situation. Late yesterday I was able to see the displays for the new MPPT controllers and my old PWM controller, and I saw a big improvement. A 30% improvement is claimed and I wouldn't argue with the claim. Just don't spend money on old technology if you can avoid it.

Mine are on the ground, as you saw in the photo. It's cheaper than elaborate mounts to get them into the air, more protected from lightening, and easier to access for maintenance (cleaning is about all there is to that). My panels are close to the battery banks and inverters (the little shed behind the panels). You want to limit the low-voltage DC runs to as short as possible. Inverters are in that shed and then there's longer runs of the 115V AC to the house.

Freezing isn't a problem. My understanding is that the panels work better in colder temps.

Phil
 

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   / Windmills #19  
Jimbrown, does your well supply water just for your house, or can you water a lawn & or garden too? I have seen more of the solar wells going in around here also. Wondering about gpm from those type of pumps.

Brian
 
   / Windmills #20  
You wouldn't happen to have a decent stream on your property would you? If so I would seriously consider Micro Hydro www.microhydropower.com I am looking into this right now after really looking into windmills. I live @ 3000' and I still like the micro hydro better and it is about a quarter of the cost. A windmill was going to run me around $30,000. This hydro power which will produce power 24/7 will only cost me about $7,000.
If you would like more info, or atleast the info I have dug up shoot me a PM and I will give you all the web sites I have found.
 

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